1. Eligibility and paperwork
- Be at least 17 years old to hold a private pilot certificate (16 to solo)
- Read, speak, write and understand English
- Hold a student pilot certificate before you fly solo
- Hold at least a third-class medical certificate before solo flight
- Keep a government-issued photo ID and your logbook ready for the practical test
2. Aeronautical knowledge
- Complete ground training or a home-study course covering the required knowledge areas
- Receive a logbook endorsement from an instructor to take the knowledge test
- Pass the FAA Private Pilot Airplane knowledge test (70 percent is passing)
- Practice with free FAA written test questions and review weak subjects
3. Flight training milestones
- Complete pre-solo training and the pre-solo knowledge test
- Earn your solo endorsement and log your first solo flights
- Fly dual and solo cross-country flights, including the long solo cross-country
- Complete night training with the required takeoffs, landings and cross-country
- Complete three hours of dual instrument training
- Complete solo takeoffs and landings at a towered airport
4. Checkride readiness
- Meet the 14 CFR 61.109 aeronautical experience minimums
- Complete three hours of dual in the 2 calendar months before the test
- Receive your instructor's endorsement for the practical test
- Complete the FAA application in IACRA and bring your documents
- Pass the oral and flight portions with a designated pilot examiner
The minimum flight time at a glance
| Requirement (airplane, Part 61) | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Total flight time | 40 hours |
| Flight training with an instructor (dual) | 20 hours |
| Solo flight time | 10 hours |
| Dual cross-country | 3 hours |
| Dual night training | 3 hours, including one cross-country of more than 100 NM total distance and 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop |
| Dual instrument training | 3 hours |
| Solo cross-country | 5 hours |
| Long solo cross-country | One flight of at least 150 NM total distance, with full-stop landings at three points and one segment of at least 50 NM |
| Solo at a towered airport | 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower |
| Checkride preparation | 3 hours of dual in the 2 calendar months before the practical test |